More funding worth £3.8m to improve and create more green spaces in London has been announced by Mayor Sadiq Khan.
The importance of biodiversity is currently being highlighted at international summit COP15 in Canada where delegates are negotiating environmental protections.
The money will come from the second round of the Green and Resilient Spaces Fund with £3m available to create or improve green spaces and £800,000 for tree planting projects.
Scientists have made the links between the climate crisis and biodiversity loss clear and the Mayor said the fund will future-proof the city by building climate resilience.
Councils and other organisations can now apply to the fund, which will prioritise areas which are particularly vulnerable to the climate crisis.
Sadiq Khan said: ‘The climate emergency and loss of our biodiversity are two of the biggest global threats we face. In the past few years, we’ve seen some of the devastating effects of climate change, with flash flooding and extreme temperatures destroying homes, schools, and businesses. Sadly, these kinds of events will only become more frequent and, as the COP15 conference is making clear this week, biodiversity is crucial to climate resilience.
‘Trees and green spaces have a vital role to play in tackling the impacts of climate change and we are already seeing some great work happening thanks to the funding invested in round one, which is helping to increase biodiversity and protect nature in our city. That is why I am pleased to be inviting bids for more exemplary greening and tree planting projects. Together we can build a better, greener and fairer London for everyone.’
Funding will be earmarked for projects in areas with low tree canopy cover and parts of the capital where Londoners live more than a 10-minute walk away from green space.
It’s hoped this will help London to adapt to the climate crisis which caused extreme summer heatwaves and devastating fires that destroyed homes this summer.
Tree planting grants will also build climate resilience by cooling the city, providing shade and reducing flooding.
Additionally, green spaces can protect physical and mental wellbeing, helping to address health and social inequalities.
The first round of the Green and Resilient Spaces Fund is currently supporting six projects which will be completed in March 2024. It’s expected the projects will see 2,000 new trees planted and 57 hectares of green spaces improved.
Photo by Brett Jordan